Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12]
Republican · FL · 21 bills sponsored
To amend title 10, United States Code, to eliminate the recoupment of separation pay, special separation benefits, and voluntary separation incentive payments from members of the Armed Forces who subsequently receive disability compensation under laws administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs and to impose limitations on the authority of the Secretary of Defense to recoup such pay from members who subsequently receive military retired or retainer pay.
# Summary of HR 7027 **What the bill would do:** This bill would change how the military handles payments given to service members when they leave the Armed Forces. Currently, if a departing service member later receives disability benefits from the VA or military retirement pay, the Department of Defense can take back (or "recoup") the separation payments they originally received. HR 7027 would eliminate this recoupment entirely for service members who receive VA disability compensation, and would limit the military's ability to recoup these payments from those who receive military retirement or retainer pay. **Who it affects:** The bill primarily affects military service members who receive separation pay, special separation benefits, or voluntary separation incentive payments when leaving active duty. This includes both those who later become disabled and qualify for VA benefits and those who qualify for military retirement pay. Veterans' advocacy groups have long argued this policy is unfair, as service members effectively lose money they were promised. **Current status:** HR 7027 is currently in committee, meaning it has been introduced but has not yet been voted on by the full House of Representatives. It was sponsored by Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) in the 119th Congress.
Written Informed Consent Act
# Written Informed Consent Act (HR 4837) - Summary **What the Bill Would Do** The Written Informed Consent Act would require healthcare providers to obtain written informed consent from patients before performing medical procedures or treatments. While informed consent is already a standard medical and legal practice, this bill would establish a federal requirement that this consent be documented in writing rather than allowing verbal consent alone. The specific procedures and treatments covered would be defined within the bill's provisions. **Who It Affects** This legislation would primarily affect patients, healthcare providers (doctors, hospitals, clinics), and the healthcare system broadly. Patients would have explicit written documentation of their consent to medical procedures, while healthcare providers would need to ensure compliance with the new federal written consent requirement. **Current Status** The bill is currently in committee and has not yet been voted on by the full House of Representatives. As of now, it remains in the early stages of the legislative process. No companion bill in the Senate has been identified, which would be necessary for the measure to advance to the President if passed by the House.
ARMENIA Security Partnership Act
# ARMENIA Security Partnership Act (HR 6840) - Summary **What the Bill Would Do:** The ARMENIA Security Partnership Act would establish or strengthen security and defense partnerships between the United States and Armenia. While the full legislative text details aren't provided here, bills with this title typically aim to increase military cooperation, defense assistance, training, or intelligence sharing between the two countries. **Who It Affects:** This legislation would primarily affect U.S.-Armenian relations and defense policies. It could impact Armenia's military capabilities, U.S. defense contractors, and broader regional dynamics in the Caucasus (the area between Europe and Asia where Armenia is located). **Current Status:** As of now, the bill remains in committee, meaning it has not yet been debated or voted on by the full House of Representatives. The bill was introduced by Representative Gus Bilirakis, a Republican from Florida. *Note: This summary is based on limited information available. To learn specific provisions, funding amounts, or detailed policy changes, you would need to review the full bill text on Congress.gov.*
Kids Online Safety Act
# Kids Online Safety Act Summary **What the Bill Would Do:** The Kids Online Safety Act aims to protect children who use the internet and social media by establishing new safety requirements and regulations for online platforms. The bill would require social media companies and other internet services to implement safeguards protecting minors from harmful content, predators, and data misuse. It would also give the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) authority to enforce these protections and allow parents and children to take legal action against platforms that violate these safety standards. **Who It Affects:** This legislation primarily affects children and teenagers who use social media and online platforms, their parents, and major tech companies that operate social media networks and web services. The bill would also impact state and local governments, which may gain authority to enforce certain provisions. **Key Provisions:** While specific details would depend on the bill's current language, kids online safety bills typically require platforms to limit data collection from minors, reduce algorithmic amplification of harmful content, provide parental controls, and implement age verification. They may also hold companies liable for negligence related to child safety. **Current Status:** The bill is currently in committee, meaning it has been introduced but has not yet advanced to a full vote by either the House or Senate.
SCORE Act
# SCORE Act Summary **What It Does:** The SCORE Act would create national rules allowing college athletes to earn money from endorsement deals using their name, image, or likeness (NIL). Currently, NIL rules vary by state. This bill would prevent colleges, conferences, and the NCAA from blocking athletes from signing these agreements. It also requires large athletic programs—those generating $20 million or more annually—to provide health counseling and medical benefits to student athletes and maintain at least 16 varsity sports teams. **Who It Affects:** The bill primarily impacts college student athletes, universities with major sports programs, and the NCAA. It would standardize rules across all states and schools, affecting how athletes can earn money from endorsements, sponsorships, and other commercial uses of their identity. **Current Status:** The bill is currently in committee (HR 4312, introduced in the 119th Congress by Republican Rep. Gus Bilirakis of Florida). It has not yet been voted on by the full House. The bill aims to address a recent court settlement related to college athlete compensation rights.
VISIT USA Act
# VISIT USA Act Summary **What It Would Do:** The VISIT USA Act (HR 6128) is a bill introduced in Congress that aims to make it easier for international visitors to travel to the United States. While specific details aren't provided in the basic information available, bills with this title typically focus on streamlining visa processes, reducing travel barriers, or improving the visitor experience for tourists and business travelers coming from other countries. **Who It Affects:** This bill would primarily affect foreign nationals seeking to visit the U.S., as well as tourism-related businesses, airlines, hotels, and the travel industry that benefit from increased international visitor spending. It could also impact U.S. government agencies like the State Department and Department of Homeland Security that process visa applications. **Current Status:** The bill is currently in committee, meaning it has been introduced but has not yet advanced to a full vote in the House of Representatives. Further legislative action would be needed for it to become law. *Note: For complete details on specific provisions, you can review the full bill text on Congress.gov.*
AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025
# AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025 - Summary **What the bill would do:** This bill would require the Department of Transportation to create a rule mandating that all new passenger cars sold in the United States include AM radio capability as standard equipment. Currently, some newer vehicles—particularly electric and luxury models—are being manufactured without AM radios. The bill would reverse this trend by making AM radio receivers a mandatory feature that is easily accessible to drivers. **Who it affects:** The rule would apply to all new passenger vehicles manufactured in the U.S., imported into the U.S., or sold across state lines after the rule takes effect. This impacts vehicle manufacturers and all consumers purchasing new cars. Until the rule is enforced, manufacturers that don't include AM radio would be required to clearly label and inform buyers of this omission. **Why it matters:** AM radio is frequently used for emergency alerts, weather warnings, and news broadcasts—particularly important during natural disasters when other communication systems may fail. Supporters argue that removing AM radio capability eliminates a critical safety tool, while the bill's requirements would ensure drivers have access to emergency information regardless of their vehicle's age or type. **Current status:** The bill is currently in committee and has not yet been voted on by the full House of Representatives.
TICKET Act
# TICKET Act Summary **What It Does:** The TICKET Act requires ticket sellers—both primary sellers and resale platforms—to show consumers the total price upfront when displaying tickets for concerts, sports events, and similar activities. Before purchase, sellers must provide an itemized breakdown showing the base ticket price separately from all fees (service fees, processing fees, etc.). The total price must also appear in any advertisements or price lists. The bill also prohibits sellers from selling tickets they don't actually possess, though secondary market platforms can still sell services to help people obtain tickets. **Who It Affects:** This bill impacts ticket sellers (like Ticketmaster), resale platforms (like StubHub), consumers buying event tickets, and event venues. It aims to protect buyers from hidden fees and surprise charges at checkout—a common complaint in the ticket industry. **Current Status:** The bill has passed the House of Representatives. It now moves to the Senate for consideration. If passed there and signed by the President, it would become law.
RAMP Act
# RAMP Act Summary **What it does:** The RAMP Act would limit who can sue insurance plans when Medicare isn't paid correctly as a secondary payer (the backup insurer). Currently, patients and their representatives can sue various types of insurance plans—including workers' compensation, auto insurance, and liability insurance—if those plans fail to pay Medicare first when they should. This bill would restrict lawsuits to only group health plans (employer-sponsored insurance), eliminating the right to sue workers' compensation, auto insurance, and other liability insurers over these payment issues. **Who it affects:** The bill primarily affects Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and attorneys who represent them in payment disputes. It also impacts workers' compensation systems, auto insurers, and liability insurers, which would face fewer legal consequences for improper payment ordering. Insurance companies argue current rules create excessive litigation costs; patient advocates counter that removing the threat of lawsuits could reduce incentive for insurers to follow Medicare payment rules correctly. **Current status:** The bill is in committee as of the 119th Congress and has not yet advanced to a floor vote. It was introduced by Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL).
END CELLS Act
# END CELLS Act (HR 3577) - Summary Unfortunately, I don't have access to the specific details of this bill's provisions. While I can see it's a House bill in the 119th Congress currently in committee and sponsored by Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), the subject matter isn't specified in the information provided. To give you an accurate summary of what the bill would do, who it affects, and its key provisions, I would need to review the actual bill text. I'd recommend checking: - **Congress.gov** - Search for "HR 3577" for the full text and legislative details - **The sponsor's official website** - Rep. Bilirakis's office may have a summary - **News sources** - Major outlets often cover significant legislative proposals If you can provide the bill's subject matter or key provisions, I'd be happy to explain them in plain language.
Coastal Broadband Deployment Act
# Coastal Broadband Deployment Act Summary The Coastal Broadband Deployment Act (HR 2817) would streamline the process for building broadband internet infrastructure in coastal areas of the United States. The bill aims to make it faster and easier to install cables, towers, and other equipment needed for high-speed internet service along America's coasts by reducing certain environmental reviews and regulatory requirements that typically slow down deployment projects. The legislation would primarily affect broadband companies seeking to expand internet service to coastal communities, as well as residents in those areas who currently lack reliable internet access. Key provisions include expedited environmental assessment procedures for broadband projects in coastal zones and potentially modified requirements related to historic site protections. The bill reflects an effort to balance infrastructure development with environmental and heritage considerations. Currently, the bill is in committee, meaning it has been introduced but has not yet been debated or voted on by the full House of Representatives. Like most bills at this stage, its prospects for passage remain uncertain and depend on committee review, amendments, and support from other lawmakers.
Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act of 2025
# Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act of 2025 - Summary **What the Bill Would Do:** This bill would expand Medicare coverage to allow audiologists (hearing specialists) to provide certain diagnostic and treatment services directly to patients without requiring a physician's referral or supervision. Currently, Medicare has restrictions on what services audiologists can provide independently. The bill would allow audiologists to offer the same hearing-related services that doctors can provide, making these services more accessible. **Who It Affects:** Medicare beneficiaries (primarily seniors age 65+) would benefit by gaining easier access to audiology services. Audiologists would gain expanded practice rights, allowing them to serve patients more directly. The change could also affect healthcare costs, as it might reduce the need for doctor visits for hearing-related issues and allow patients to see hearing specialists more conveniently. **Current Status:** The bill (HR 2757) was introduced in the 119th Congress by Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been voted on by the full House of Representatives.
Major Richard Star Act
# Major Richard Star Act Summary I don't have detailed information about the specific provisions of HR 2102 (the Major Richard Star Act) from the 119th Congress to provide you with an accurate summary. While I can see it's a House bill sponsored by Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) that is currently in committee, I cannot reliably tell you what the bill does, who it affects, or its key provisions without access to the actual bill text. **To get accurate information, I'd recommend:** - Visiting **Congress.gov** and searching for "HR 2102" to view the full bill text and details - Checking the bill's summary page for sponsor statements about its purpose - Contacting Rep. Bilirakis's office directly if you need clarification on the bill's intent I want to avoid giving you incomplete or inaccurate information, so consulting the official sources above will serve you better.
Consensual Donation and Research Integrity Act of 2025
# Consensual Donation and Research Integrity Act of 2025 - Summary **What the Bill Does:** The Consensual Donation and Research Integrity Act of 2025 (HR 2589) aims to establish or clarify rules around voluntary donations for medical research purposes. While the bill's specific provisions aren't detailed in the available information, the title suggests it would focus on ensuring that people knowingly and willingly consent before their biological materials or personal information are used in research studies. **Who It Affects:** This bill would primarily affect research participants, medical institutions, researchers, and potentially the broader medical research community. It could impact how universities, hospitals, and private research organizations handle donations of tissues, blood, organs, or genetic material for scientific studies. **Current Status:** HR 2589 was introduced by Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) in the 119th Congress and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been debated or voted on by the full House. For more detailed information about the specific provisions, you would need to consult the full bill text on Congress.gov, as the detailed language is not available in this summary.
New Era of Preventing End-Stage Kidney Disease Act
# New Era of Preventing End-Stage Kidney Disease Act (HR 1518) - Plain Language Summary **What the Bill Would Do** This bill aims to improve how the U.S. diagnoses and treats rare kidney diseases by establishing specialized research centers and training programs. It would authorize funding for regional "centers of excellence" at hospitals and universities across the country to focus on rare kidney disease research, public awareness, and developing better diagnostic tools. The bill also requires medical schools that receive federal funding to offer fellowships—specialized training programs—for doctors and health professionals to learn about preventing, diagnosing, and treating these rare conditions. **Who It Affects and Key Details** The bill primarily affects patients with rare kidney diseases, medical schools and research institutions, and the medical professionals who train there. It directs the Department of Health and Human Services to study rare kidney diseases and their prevalence, while allowing regional centers to operate for up to five years with the possibility of renewal. The funding would come through existing federal health agencies, particularly the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. **Current Status** As of now, the bill is in committee, meaning it hasn't yet been debated or voted on by the full House of Representatives. It was introduced by Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL).
Prevent Interruptions in Physical Therapy Act of 2025
# Summary: Prevent Interruptions in Physical Therapy Act of 2025 **What the bill would do:** This bill would change Medicare payment rules to allow physical therapists to be paid for services that another physical therapist provides to their patients, even when that substitute therapist works outside traditionally underserved areas. Currently, Medicare only allows this arrangement in specific geographic areas that are rural, medically underserved, or have a shortage of health professionals. The bill would remove those geographic restrictions. **Who it affects:** The bill primarily affects physical therapists and their patients who rely on Medicare for coverage. It could help patients in urban and well-served areas maintain continuity of care when their regular therapist is temporarily unavailable, while also allowing therapists to receive payment for patient coverage arrangements they currently cannot bill for in many locations. **Current status:** The bill was introduced by Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been debated or voted on by the full House of Representatives.
LIVE Beneficiaries Act
# LIVE Beneficiaries Act Summary **What the Bill Would Do** The LIVE Beneficiaries Act would require state Medicaid programs to check the Social Security Administration's Death Master File at least four times per year to identify deceased Medicaid recipients. This would help prevent continued payments or benefits to people who have passed away. Medicaid is the federal-state health insurance program for low-income individuals and families. **Who It Affects and Key Details** The bill primarily affects state Medicaid agencies, which would need to implement new verification procedures, and aims to reduce improper payments made on behalf of deceased beneficiaries. By cross-checking deaths more regularly, the bill intends to improve program integrity and reduce wasted taxpayer dollars. States may already conduct some death verification, but this bill would standardize and mandate the frequency of these checks. **Current Status** As of now, HR 1403 is in committee and has not been voted on by the full House of Representatives. The bill was introduced by Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) in the 119th Congress.
Eliminate DEI in Colleges Act
# Eliminate DEI in Colleges Act - Bill Summary **What It Would Do:** This bill would prohibit colleges and universities from receiving federal funding or allowing students to access federal student aid if the institutions maintain diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs or offices. Schools would be required to certify to the Department of Education that they don't carry out any DEI-related initiatives, and they would need to provide documentation upon request to prove compliance. The bill would give the Department of Education authority to enforce these rules and terminate federal funding for non-compliance, though schools could appeal such decisions. **Who It Affects:** This primarily affects colleges and universities that currently have DEI programs, offices, or initiatives—including diversity hiring efforts, inclusion training, or equity-focused scholarship programs. It would also impact students who rely on federal financial aid, as their schools' loss of federal funding could affect educational resources. The bill affects any institution receiving federal funds, which includes most U.S. colleges and universities. **Current Status:** The bill was introduced by Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) in the 119th Congress and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been debated or voted on by the full House. It remains in the early stages of the legislative process.
Protecting Our Children in an AI World Act of 2025
# Protecting Our Children in an AI World Act of 2025 - Summary **What the Bill Would Do** This bill aims to address child safety concerns related to artificial intelligence technology. Based on its title and subject areas, it appears designed to combat the use of AI in creating child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and other crimes against children. The specific provisions would likely establish legal frameworks to prevent, detect, and punish the misuse of AI tools for child exploitation and related offenses. **Who It Affects** The bill would primarily affect tech companies developing AI systems, law enforcement agencies, and child protection organizations. It would also impact anyone involved in creating or distributing child exploitation material using AI technology. Additionally, platforms and internet service providers might face new compliance requirements related to detecting and reporting such content. **Current Status** As of now, HR 1283 remains in committee and has not been voted on by the full House. The bill was introduced in the 119th Congress by Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL). Since it hasn't advanced beyond the committee stage, the specific language and detailed provisions have not been publicly finalized, and the bill has not yet moved toward a vote.
Retired Pay Restoration Act
# Retired Pay Restoration Act Summary **What the Bill Would Do** The Retired Pay Restoration Act would allow military veterans with service-connected disabilities to receive both their military retirement pay and veterans' disability compensation without losing money from either benefit. Currently, only veterans whose disabilities are rated at 50% or higher can collect both payments in full. This bill would expand that benefit to veterans with lower disability ratings who retired or were medically discharged after at least 20 years of service. **Who It Affects and Key Provisions** The bill primarily affects military retirees and veterans who have service-connected disabilities rated below 50%. These individuals currently face an "offset" where receiving disability compensation reduces their military retirement pay dollar-for-dollar. The bill would eliminate this offset for eligible veterans, allowing them to receive full payments from both sources. Essentially, it removes a financial penalty for veterans injured or disabled during their military service. **Current Status** The bill was introduced in the 119th Congress by Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and remains in committee, meaning it has not yet been debated or voted on by the full House of Representatives.
Student Visa Security Improvement Act
# Student Visa Security Improvement Act Summary **What the Bill Would Do** The Student Visa Security Improvement Act would strengthen security procedures for foreign students coming to the United States. It would require the Department of Homeland Security to conduct more thorough reviews of student visa applications, including in-person interviews when needed, to screen for terrorism-related concerns. Educational institutions and exchange programs would be required to actively monitor international students—tracking their participation in classes, reporting transfers or major changes, and maintaining regular contact. Schools that meet staffing and training standards would get better access to a government database tracking international students. **Who It Affects and Key Provisions** This bill primarily affects foreign students seeking to study in the U.S. and the schools that enroll them. Schools would face new responsibilities to monitor and report on their international students' activities and status. The bill also requires a government audit of fees charged for the Student and Exchange Visitor program. The measures aim to balance national security concerns with student enrollment by adding oversight requirements rather than broadly restricting access. **Current Status** The bill has been introduced in the House and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been debated or voted on by the full chamber.